NHTSA Alerting Consumers to Dangers of Counterfeit Air Bags

NHTSA has been aware of many car accident cases involved in crashes where there were counterfeit air bags. These air bags looks nearly identical to the certified and original equipment parts-including bearing the insignia and branding of major automakers. NHTSA testing showed consistent malfunctioning that includes non-deployment of the air bag to the expulsion of metal shrapnel during deployment which raises top security concern for occupants of the vehicles in an event of an accident. So far, no deaths or injuries are reported to NHTSA due to these Counterfeit Air Bags. Only vehicles which have had an air bag replaced within the past three years by a repair shop that is not part of a new car dealership may be at risk.

Vehicles that have been in a crash and had the air bags replaced by a repair shop that is not part of a new car dealership within the past three years or car owners who have purchased a replacement air bag online should contact the call center that has been established by their auto manufacturer to have their vehicle inspected at their own expense and their air bag replaced if necessary.

Contact the call center: 

American Suzuki Motor Corporation 1-800-934-0934	Land Rover 1-800-452-4827
Acura Client Relations 1-800-382-2238	Kia Consumer Assistance Center 1-800-333-4542
Audi 1-800-253-2834	Lexus 1-800-255-3987
BMW Group 1-800-831-1117	Mazda 1-800-222-5500
Chrysler 1-800-247-9753	Mercedes–Benz USA 1-800-367-6372
Ford Motor Company 1-800-392-3673 1-800-232-5952	Mitsubishi Motors 1-888-648-7820
General Motors 1-866-237-3601	Nissan Consumer Affairs 1-800-647-7261
Honda Automobile Customer Service 1-800-999-1009	Subaru of America, Inc. 1-800-782-2783
Hyundai Motor America Consumer Affairs 1-800-633-5151	Toyota 1-800-331-4331
Infiniti Consumer Affairs 1-800-662-6200	Volkswagen 1-800-822-8987
Jaguar 1-800-637-6837	Volvo 1-800-433-8236

 

“Anytime equipment that is critical to protecting drivers and passengers fails to operate properly, it is a serious safety concern,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We want consumers to be immediately aware of this problem and to review our safety information to see if their vehicle could be in need of inspection.”

“We expect all motor vehicle equipment to meet federal safety standards — and air bags in particular play a central role in keeping drivers and passengers safe in the event of a crash,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “That’s why it’s critical that vehicle owners work with their automotive dealers and repair professionals to ensure they use the appropriate, original equipment parts in the event they need to replace their air bag.”

NHTSA is working with many government agencies to better understand this issue and it will continue to monitor consumer complaints police accident reports, and other sources for additional information.

John Mortion on fake Air Bags:

CONSUMERS THAT MAY BE AT RISK AND SHOULD CONTACT THE CALL CENTER ESTABLISHED BY THEIR AUTO MANUFACTURER:

• Consumers who have had air bags replaced within the past three years at a repair shop that is not part of a new car dealership
• Consumers who have purchased a used car that may have sustained an air bag deployment before their purchase
• Consumers who own a car with a title branded salvage, rebuilt, or reconstructed
• Consumers who have purchased replacement air bags from eBay or other non-certified sources—especially if they were purchased at unusually low prices (i.e. less than $400)

Downloads:  NHTSA’s recommended dealer guidance for managing counterfeit air bags.

For more than two decades, The Tracy Firm has been helping to assert the rights of individuals injured in vehicle accidents due to manufacturing design defect, safety system failures, vehicle aggressiveness and vehicle crashworthiness throughout the United States.

Contact us online, or, call us today at 214-324-9000 if you or your loved ones are seriously injured in an accident.

11th October, 2012 | The TRACY firm in Dallas, Texas | Sources: NHTSA